Grangemouth Heritage (1 mile)
The walk begins on the western edge of Grangemouth where the A905 to Skinflats crosses the canal. Parking can be found by turning into Forth Clyde Way then doubling back into the grid of residential streets. Make your way to the top of Devon Street which is very close to the canal. A footpath provides access. Follow the waterway towards the gigantic famed Kelpies sculptures, passing under the M9 on the way. The canal you are walking alongside is the Queen Elizabeth link route - opened in 2017. It bypasses the bridges across the River Carron which sometimes proved problematic to barges.
After taking in the mighty Kelpies, backtrack along the new canal. Previously, boats would have passed through a sea lock next to the sculptures but they can now take this more convenient course. The towpath is known as the Charlotte Dundas Trail, dedicated to the world's first practical steamship which was built here by William Symington in 1802. There are 11 informational panels outlining the history of industrial shipping in the Grangemouth area. The trail ends at the new River Carron lock where canal traffic now has unimpeded access to the sea. You may also wish to seek out the spitfire memorial which is a couple of miles away on the other side of town. Information boards relate the story of Grangemouth airfield being used to train fighter pilots during the wall. An incredible nugget is that the site originally opened as a commercial airport for Central Scotland in 1937. Who knew? Just goes to show that you learn amazing things when out walking.
